FIFA 12 DEFENDING

FIFA Defending

How to defend in FIFA 12

Defence is just as important in FIFA as attacking. Become skilled at defending and you have a good chance of beating more experienced players or more importantly those with stronger teams. Defending is about reading your opponent and anticipating. Look for patterns in your opponents play. Use tactics to help you if finding it hard to defend. Try a 5-2-1-2 or 4-5-1 for a bit to stop opponents breaking you down easily. Use the offside trap tactic if playing with less defenders. EA likes to see people caught offside even if by a millimeter!

1. Controller setting

The 3 key settings for defending are shown below. Please don’t copy all these as some are manual passing which I have set. Not easy to use. Number 1 is change autoswitching to Airballs. So you have to manually change using Right bumper to the defender you want (unless in the air when it picks the player the ball is heading for). 2 autoswitching move assistance means when you change to a player they keep moving slightly in the direction they were facing rather than simply stopping. 3 is analogue sprint also useful when defending because your player reacts to the amount you are pressing the left stick to move.

2. How to press with many players

Ever wondered how players online can rush at you with lots of players!? Here is how to do it. Now you have autoswitching set to airballs you can select a defender away from the ball. I usually use the CDM of my 4-1-2-1-2 but you can use any midfielder close by. Just remember the better speed, tackling and strength the better. Select this player using left bumper and the computer will carry on controlling your defender nearest the ball. To make the computer player rush towards the attacker hold right bumper. Then to rush the player you are controlling hold right trigger and aim left stick towards the attacker. To have more players rushing you then need to set your team tactics in game to high pressure or team press. By default these are done using the d-pad DOWN and then LEFT for high pressure or UP and then DOWN for team pressing. We find high pressure much more effective for this.

3. Containing players

As you should have watched the video tutorial (on the right just in case you skipped) containing is using the left trigger for a normal jockey and both triggers for a running jockey. It is essential to use these to stop skills. If wanting to make a tackle just press your tackle button (usually same as pass). We prefer to not tackle and just contain. Usually if using above method it is the computer doing the tracking for you anyway and if it sees a good opportunity to win the ball it will do it naturally.

4. How and when to tackle

Go for a tackle as soon as your opponents foot touches the ball and it leaving their foot. They will have least control of it. Use the shoot button tackle if a gap between you or normal tackle button (pass button) if really close. Warning – Try not to press the shoot button tackle around your area. If you miss they will likely have a clean shot. Try to jockey more around the area as above in contain section.

5. Making successful slide tackles

Sliding tackles are an art you should practice. Unlike in 11 you can now use the left stick to curl your feet round a player to make a tackle. So if running along side press the left stick in same direction while pressing slide tackle and then curl the left stick round in the direction of their feet as if your foot is wrapping around the ball. Only try this if slightly ahead of your opponent. Otherwise slide tackling is more useful for cutting out passes. Look where the pass is and cut it out sliding in that direction. This can be effective just sliding in the way of a run. Make sure not last man we don’t recommend sliding in that situation or in area. We know what the collision system can be like players will fall over and get a penalty.

6. Reading your opponent

This might be easy or hard depends on your opponent. You will notice if they like through balls or use skills easily though. Some people always go for the simple pass. Look for patterns and use your player changing knowledge above to stop it. Cover the players in space if a passer. Use jockeying if they use skills. If they like to cross it drag a winger back to help out and block the delivery. Once you get used to reading opponents you will improve your attacking play as it will help you learn how the best players defend.